In the first edition Alfie Jaques, client support manager at Hooray Health & Protection, speaks to Health & Protection about how he got his start in the sector, why the pandemic proved the biggest setback of his career so far and why going against the grain has set him on the path for career success.
How did you get your start in the sector?
In 2018 I started working for Great American Insurance Group as a client administrator off the back of a couple of years on PWC’s higher apprentice scheme.
What do you enjoy most about your current role?
The variety – I am involved in many aspects of a rapidly growing business.
Who is your role model – in life or in work?
Former England wicketkeeper Jack Russell.
Who has been your most important mentor in your career so far and why?
My friend Sam, he works in a completely different industry but has similar experiences and always offers a great perspective.
What advice would you give to people thinking about a career in the sector?
Go against the grain, work in different roles and for different sized companies. Don’t worry too much about how it looks on your CV.
What has been your biggest setback and how did you overcome it?
Covid – I left a job just before it all kicked off and didn’t want to start a new job working from home full time. I played a waiting game and did a series of different jobs whilst waiting for restrictions to ease, and then the right opportunity came up.
Laugh or cry – what did your most memorable client or case make you want to do and why?
Cry – I used to work with a client who always sent data over a week late but would expect an instant response to any of their queries.
What’s your ultimate goal for your career?
To have lots of different experiences, learn about lots of different and things and meet lots of different people. Ultimately to remain happy in and out of work.
How would your boss describe you?
Efficient, responsive, occasionally stubborn.
What’s your biggest talent away from work?
Catching cricket balls.
What mantra do you live by?
Not my circus, not my monkeys.
What song would you regard as your theme tune?
In The Morning – Razorlight